as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
Of course, the odds are still good that as the long season unfolds, the young guys will fall back, and the truly good times won’t come until another year or two down the road.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
These songs fall back on Rae-era propensities, flexing the internet personality’s instinct for a cresting trend but failing to do better than the real Lana songs and knockoffs flooding the market.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 June 2025
Leading continental European hubs such as Stockholm and Berlin also saw fund raising fall back.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Entering the homestretch, Journalism poked his head in front as Rodriguez began to fall back.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
These songs fall back on Rae-era propensities, flexing the internet personality’s instinct for a cresting trend but failing to do better than the real Lana songs and knockoffs flooding the market.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 June 2025
Leading continental European hubs such as Stockholm and Berlin also saw fund raising fall back.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Entering the homestretch, Journalism poked his head in front as Rodriguez began to fall back.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2025
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The traffic receded as Chicago withdrew into the distance behind me on Interstate 90.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
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Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
24 June 2025
Verb
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However, conditions will dry out again on Sunday with humidity dropping back to 20% and winds gusting up to 25 mph in the afternoon.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
29 June 2025
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Wirtz would provide extra creativity, but with Kane often dropping back and Olise excelling in the half-spaces, there is potential for this to be a clunky fit on paper.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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With Andrey Santos being a late replacement for Reece James — who pulled out of the line-up after feeling tightness during the warm-up — Chelsea’s shape tweaked once again with Santos operating as a lone pivot as Enzo Fernandez pushed on in midfield.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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Prime Day deals are usually the best of the year, so now’s the time to pull out the plastic for hot-ticket items on your wishlist.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 July 2025
Verb
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For Gen Z, that might mean skipping the $28 lunch today—and retiring with $800,000 tomorrow.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
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Rucker played his entire nine-season NFL career with the Panthers before retiring in 2008.—
Sydney Sasser,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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